“I am proud to be a printer and want every printer to be equally proud of their profession”

– says Deepak Arora, president – Delhi Printers’ Association Being the largest association of the printing industry in India, Delhi Printers’ Association (DPA) needs no introduction. Smita Dwivedi, P&P in conversation with Deepak Arora, newly elected president – Delhi Printers’ Association, inquires about his plans of action and views about the emerging printing world. Deepak Arora, a graduate from University of Delhi, started his career through trading of packaging material and later entered the printing business in 1987. His father Baldev Raj Arora had a thriving binding unit in Chawri Bazar, famous as Royal Binders. Later, Deepak ventured into pre-press by launching JMD Colour Scan Pvt Ltd in 1994. Today, JMD Colour Scan has latest CtcP, CtP, drum scanner and imagesetter. With his keen acumen for business, he launched NSS Enterprises in 2009 which is equipped for special effects of UV and UV full coating with value added services for printing. Since Interprint Expo 2012 exhibition, they also ventured into post-press and digital printing significantly.

Deepak Arora,This pre-press specialist has now been in business for 20 years. Established in 1994, JMD caters to clientele in and around the Naraina Industrial Area and adjoining periphery as well. The majority of customers are printers engaged in calendar printing, commercial printing and publishing. The company is housed in a multi-storey 6,000 sq ft facility.

President speaks!
Talking about his new responsibility, he shared, “It’s a great honour for me and I will do my best. My journey with the executive body of DPA started as a member in 2004. With active participation in all the events undertaken by DPA, I rose to the post of vicepresident for two consecutive years. I have also been nominated as a GC member on the governing body of All India Federation of Master Printers (AIFMP).”

Print events to award excellence!
“The prosperity and technological excellence of individual printer is the vision of the association. And to reach that goal and achieve its objectives, DPA has been holding seminars, workshops, conferences, sociocultural and family get-togethers, excellence in printing contests, etc.”

This year too, DPA is getting good industry support and participation for the upcoming events like 9th National Awards for Excellence in Printing at New Delhi on September 20, 2014 and 224th GC meeting, AGM and elections of AIFMP office bearers for 2014-2015.

“AIFMP organises National Awards for Excellence in Printing (NAEP) every year to recognise creative and quality printing and reward the printers with trophies at a glittering function. There is a great enthusiasm among Indian printers to participate in this contest by submitting their best entries. This year’s NAEP being hosted by DPA under the aegis of AIFMP, with Ricoh India as the main sponsor. The award function, comprising a grand cultural show and gala dinner, will be held on September 20, 2014 in New Delhi. Most likely, the president of India will grace the function as chief guest and give away trophies to award winners. For the first time, largest numbers of 2,211 entries have been received, breaking all previous records. It is expected that over 500 printers from all parts of the country will be present at this glittering event. DPA plans to put up a gallery during the event on September 20 where all the award-winning entries would be displayed for participants. The traditional Black Book, carrying photos and other details of award-winning entries, will also be unveiled by the chief guest,” he informed.

Adding more to this, he said, “On September 21, 2014 the 224th Governing Council Meeting, Annual General Meeting and election of office bearers of AIFMP for the year 2014-2015, will also be hosted by DPA. This annual event is attended by Governing Council and Governing Body members of AIFMP in maximum number as votes are cast for various posts of office bearers. However, in view of the previous day’s grand 9th NAEP function in the city, it is expected that over 200 GB and GC members will participate. DPA has made necessary arrangements for this day-long event.”

Shared knowledge is doubled knowledge
Deepak also informed that regular seminars and discussions would be organised by DPA. He was happy that many Indian print professionals are now heading big groups and they have lot of wisdom to share. “Companies like TechNova and manroland would extend their support to us as well,” he said. He feels that knowledge sharing is the most important thing for the printers and he is very keen to form such platforms, where all the printers share and exchange their knowledge about latest technology and trends for mutual benefits. “For the benefit of printers and other entrepreneurs the Ministry of MSME and DPA will provide the required support and help to the medium and small scale printers.”

MODIfied efforts!
Deepak is quite hopeful that the new Indian government is going to make reforms to benefit printing industry in India and he added, “We will make efforts to implement The Goods and Services Tax (GST) soon, which actually will replace all indirect taxes levied on goods and services by the Central and State governments. It is aimed at being comprehensive for most goods and services.”

Message to fellow printers…
“I feel printing is very noble profession and I am proud to be part of it. Some printers worry about the future of this industry, but believe me printing is surely going to flourish in India. And I would be really happy, if my daughter also joins the printing industry, once she is grown up. Let’s be proud of our profession of printing,” Deepak concluded.